Double packed oil well stuffing box



May 6, 1958 C. F. MOSELEY DOUBLE PACKED OIL WELL STUFFING BOX Filed Jan.20, 1954 IN VEN TOR;

C. E Mase/ey United States Patent 2,833,572 DOUBLE PACKED OIL WELLSTUFFING BOX Charles Fredrick Moseley,'Bartlesville, Okla.

Application January 20, 1954, Serial No. 405,200 4 Claims. (Cl. 286-163)This invention relates to packing glands, and more particularly, but notby way of limitation, to a double packed stufling box adapted for usearound the polished rod of a producing oil well.

As is it well known in the oil industry, the majority of producing oilwells are pumped by use of a rod type pump. The pumping unit isinstalled near the bottom of the oil well and is actuated by a string ofrods from the surface. The uppermost rod, which projects from the wellhead, is commonly called the polished rod. A packing gland or stuflingbox is ordinarily secured to the well head around the polished rod toprevent a leakage of the pumped oil around the polished rod. Themajority of stufling boxes in common use are provided with a single setof packing rings, therefore, the pumping unit must be stopped to replacethe packing rings in order to prevent leakage of well fluid upwardthrough the stufling box,

The present invention contemplates a novel stufling box utilizing twosets of packing rings. The box is constructed in such a manner that theupper set of packing rings may be replaced while the well pumping unitis in operation. In addition, it is also contemplated to provide asecondary packing gland containing an oil reservoir and assuring aconstant lubrication of the polished rod and increase the service lifeof the packing rings, particularly the upper set.

An important object of this invention is to permit replacement of themain set of packing rings in an oil well stufling box without thenecessity of stopping the oil well pumping unit. I

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel double packed oilwell stufiing box wherein the separate sets of packing rings areindependently adjustable. I

Another object of this invention is to increase the service life of themain packing rings of a double packed oil well stuffing box. I

A further object of this invention is to prevent a blowout of the mainpacking rings of a double packed oil well stuffing box during operationof the stufling box, as well as during replacement or adjustment of thestuffing box.

A still further object of this invention is to maintain a constantlubrication for the upper packing rings of a double packed oil wellstufiing box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical elevational view of a novel double packed oilwell stufling box with a quarter section of the box removed.

Figure is a plan view of the stufiing box shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Fig. 1, referencecharacter 2 generally designates a novel stuffing box comprising atubular housing 4 having its 2,833,572 Patented May 6, 1958 Acounter-bore 10 is formed in the tubular body 4 immediately above thethreaded portion 6 thereof to receive a plurality of super-imposedpacking rings 12. The packing rings 12 are conically shaped and aredisposed in the counter-bore 101with their larger ends 14 extendingdownwardly into contact with the periphery of the counter-bore 10 andtheir smaller ends 16 extending upwardly into contact with the polishedrod 8. The lower end 14 of the lowermost packing ring 12 rests upon acircumferential shoulder 18 formed at the lower end of the counter-bore10.

Another counter-bore 20 is formed in the body 4 above and concentricwith the counter-bore 10 to receive a gland compression ring 22. Thelower end of the compression ring 22 is tapered upwardly and inwardlyand provided with a pair of concentric vertically and horizontallyspaced shoulders 24 and 26. It will be observed from Fig. 1 that theshoulders 24 and 26 contact the packing rings 12. A circumferentialflange 28 ex-' tends outwardly from the upper end of the body 4 toreceive the mating flange 30 of an upper tubular body section 32.Circumferentially spaced bolts 34 interconnect the flanges 28 and 30.

The body section 32 extends upwardly from the body 4 and is providedwith a pair of diametrically opposed obliquely extending threadedapertures 36. Each aperture 36 receives a compression bolt 38whichextends downwardly into the counterbore 20 of the lower bodysection 4 into contact with the compression ring 22. It will be apparentthat the position of the compression bolts 38 in the apertures 36determines the amount of pressure exerted by the compression ring 22 onthe packing rings 12. Therefore, the sealing contact provided by thepacking rings 12 with the polished rod 8 and inner periphery of thecounter-bore 10 may be adjusted as desired. A

threaded counter-bore 40 is formed in the body section 32 in alignmentwith each'of the apertures 36 to receive a gland nut 42. The nuts 42 areutilized to retain a flat type packing ring 44 in the respectivecounter-bores 40 and prevent a leakage of fluid outwardly around thecompression bolts 38. v p

Another set of super-imposed packing rings "46 are disposed in thetubular body section 32 above the lower packing rings 12. The packingrings 46 are preferably of the same type as the packing rings 12 and aredisposed in a similar manner to provide a sealing contact with thepolished rod 8 and the inner periphery of the body 32.

It will be observed that the packing rings 46 arefour in number, whereasthe packing rings 12 are only twoin number. I do not wish to be limitedto the exact number of packing rings shown,'however, the packing rings46 are ordinarily greater in number than the packing rings 12 since theymay be considered as the primary ormain packing rings to prevent a flowof well fluidupwardly through the stuffing box 2 during normal operationof the polished rod 8. An inwardly projecting circumferential.

- nected by bolts 54 to mating flanges (not shown) on the upper end ofthe body section 32. It will be apparent that the bolts 54- determine'the vertical position ofthe The gland 56'is'also tubular in shape and is'of a size" to be inserted in the gland50'l'oosely around the polishedrod sfor contacting the uppermost packing ring 46-adjacent' theinnerperiphery thereof. The upper portion 58 of the upper gland. 56isenlarged and providedwitli a pair'of outwardly extending anddiametrically opposed lugs 60: Bolts 62 extend through the lugs 60 and'downwardlyinto connection with mating lugs 64' formed on the upper endof the body section 32'. Referring to Fig. 2, it 'willbe observed thatthe lugs 60 and 64 are disposed at substantially right angles to thepreviously de scribed lugs 52: Thebolts 62' provide for a tightening ofthe gland 56 and compression of the packing rings 46 in proximitywiththe polished rod 8, and the angular disposition of theflanges GO withrespect to the flanges 52 facilitates independent adjustment of theglands and 56-. It will also benoted in Fig: 2 that thecompression'bolts 38 'are arranged between the lugs 52 and 60 to facilitate accessthereto.

Another conical shapedpacking ring 66 is disposedin the upper end of thegland 56 around the polished rod 8-and rests on a circumferentialshoulder 68 formed in the inner periphery of the enlarged portion 58' ofthe gland 56. An apertured cap member 70 is loosely disposed around thepolished rod'8above theupper gland 56.- The cap 70 is provided with adownwardly extending circumferential flange 72 of a' size to enveloptheupper end of thegland 56in; themanner shown in' Fig. 1-. Acircumferential shoulder 74 is formed on-tlie undersurface of'the, cap'70-to contact the packing ring 66' and maintain the ring in sealingcontact with the polished rod 8 and the inner periphery of the gland 56.Diametrically opposed cup shaped flanges76are formed on opposite sid'esoff-the cap 70*and are connected by bolts 78 to mating flanges (notshown) on the upper end ofthe gland-56: Thus; the cap gland 70maybetightened'on the gland 56 tocontrol the'press ureexerted .bytheshoulder 74on.the packing ring 66.

' As readily seen inFig; l, the tubular gland56 forms a chamber: 80"around the polished rod 8 between the uppermost packing .ring 46' andthepacking ring 66. The chambert is provided to receivea suitable lubricantand the lubricant is supplied to thejchamber 80 through a suitablegrease fitting 82threadedlysecured in the wall of the gland 56. k

' Operation Theystufiing box 2. is assembled as shown inFig. landthelower. end- 6 thereof, is threadedly. engaged with the well headaroundi'thehpolished rod 8. Preferably prior to operation of:thepolished, rod 8, the-chamber 80 issjcharged with asuitable lubricantthrough the fitting 82. Thus, when the polished rod 8 begins.toreciprocate, thefpacking rings .46: and12, will be supplied withlubricant to: increase the: service life thereof.

The polishedt rod 8 reciprocates, vertically; through the stuflingboxldnthe; usualrnanner, and ordinarily well fluid flows upwardly through the:lower end 6 of; therbody 4. into contact. with the sealing rings 12; Ifdesired, the sealing n'ngs112 may be; loosened by, slightly unthreadingthe compression bolts 38: and, permit, the; well pressure to flowthrough the lower body section 4 into contact withqthe packing rings 46;This ,will5reducethewear of the packing rings 12 and materially;increase the' service life; thereof; As-previouslyi stated, the packingrings 12 and 4.6 may be? adjustedindependentlyr Whendt is desiredtoreplace one ormoreof the packingrrings .46, the bolts 54 and 62 areremoved-to permit an upward movement of the glands 50 and 56. Access maythen. be gained to thepacking rings 46. During thisreplacement at thepackingringst, thepolishedrod Kmay. continue to reciprocate andiprovidea continuous operation of the well pump (not shown). The packing rings12 will effectively seal oif the well head pressure and if they havebeen loosened prior to the time for changing the packing rings 46, thecompression bolts 38 may be tightened to provide the desired compressionof the packing rings 12. Upon replacement of the packing rings 46,'the'glands 50' and 56 are moved downwardly along the polished rod 8 tothe. position shown in Fig. 1 and reconnected to the body section 32 bythe bolts 54 and 62. Furthermore, the chamber 80 may be re-charged withlubricant by use of the fitting 82 during reciprocation of thepolished'rod 8;

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides anovel double packed oil well stuifing be independently adjusted andsubstantially placed out box wherein the main packing rings may bereplaced Without stopping operation of the oil well pumping unit.

A constant lubrication is provided for the stuffing box to materiallyincrease the service life-0f the mainpacking rings. Furthermore, theauxiliary packing rings utilized during replacement of the main packingrings may of operation during the normal operation of.the stuffing box.

Changes may be made. in the combination and arrangement of parts asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, itbeing understoodthat any modification in the precise embodiment of theinvention maybe made within the scope of the following claims withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stutfing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a tubularbody loosely surrounding. the polished rod,

a main set of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the body.around the polished rod. a tubular gland extending into the upper end ofthe body into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent theouter periphery thereof, a second tubular gland disposed in the firstmentionedigland in contact with the uppermost main packing. ringadjacentthe inner periphery thereof; connecting means. on the body forindependently adjusting saidfirst and second tubular glands, anauxiliary set of super-imposed conical shaped packing rings in the bodyaround the polished rod arranged below'the main packing rings, acompression ring'in the body loosely disposed around the polished rod incontact with the uppermost auxiliary packing ring, an inwardlyprojecting shoulder provided in the body to retain the compression ringin position adjacent the auxiliary, packing rings and to support thelowermost main packing ring, and means adjustably secured in thebody'for contacting the compression ring and controlling the compressionof said auxiliary packing rings.

2. A. stuffing box for an oil Well polished rod, comprising a tubularbody loosely: surrounding the polished rod, a main set'of super-imposedconical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rod; atubular gland extending into the upper end of the body into contact withthe uppermost main packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof,asecond tubular gland disposed in the first mentioned gland in contactwith the uppermost main packing ring; adjacent the inner peripherythereof, connecting means on the body for independently adjusting.

said first and second tubular glands, an oil reservoir in said secondgland around the polished rod, an auxiliary set of super-imposedconicalshaped packingrings'in the body. around the polished rod arrangedbelowthe main packing rings, a compression ring in the body loosely disposedaround the polished rod in contact with the uppermost auxiliary. packingring, an inwardly projecting shoulder provided in the body to retain thecompression ring in position adjacent the auxiliary packing rings and tosupport the lowermost main packing ring, and means ndjustably secured inthe body for contactingthe compression ring and controlling thecompression of said auxiliary packing rings.

3. A stufiing box for an oil well polished rod, comprising a tubularbody loosely surrounding the polished rod, a main set of super-imposedconical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rod, atubular gland extending into the upper end of the body into contact withthe uppermost main packing ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, asecond tubular gland loosely disposed on the polished rod within thefirst mentioned gland in contact with the uppermost main packing ringadjacent the inner periphery thereof, connecting means on the body forindependently adjusting the first and second tubular glands andcontrolling the compression of the main packing rings, a conical shapedpacking ring in the second gland spaced upwardly from the main packingrings, said second gland forming an oil reservoir between the lastmentioned packing ring and the main packing rings, a cap glandadjustably secured on the upper end of the second gland in contact withthe last mentioned packing ring, an auxiliary set of super-imposedconical shaped packing rings in the body around the polished rodarranged below the main packing rings, a compression ringlooselydisposed on the polished rod in contact with the uppermost auxiliarypacking ring, and means adjustably secured in the body for contactingthe compression ring and controlling the compression of the auxiliarypacking rings into contact with the polished rod and the inner peripheryof the body and means integral with the body for supporting thelowermost main packing ring and retaining the compression ring inposition adjacent the auxiliary packing rings.

4. A stuffing box for an oil well polished rod comprising a tubular bodyhaving a reduced lower end to provide a shoulder, a set of lower conicalshaped packing rings supported by the shoulder, a compression ringdisposed above the lower packing rings, adjusting means for urging thecompression ring against the lower packing rings to control the pressurethereof against the polished rod, an inwardly projecting shoulder Withinthe body to retain the compression ring in position, a set of mainconical shaped packing rings supported by the inwardly projectingshoulder, a tubular gland member extending downwardly within the tubularbody into contact with the uppermost main packing ring adjacent theouter periphery thereof, a second tubular gland disposed in the firsttubular gland extending into contact with the uppermost main packingring adjacent the inner periphery thereof, connecting means on the bodyfor independently adjusting the two gland members, an upper conicalshaped packing ring cooperating with the second gland member to providea sealed oil reservoir therein for supplying lubrication to the polishedrod, and cap gland means adjustably secured on the second tubular glandand in contact with the upper packing ring for controlling thecompression thereof against the polished rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS731,228 Rush June 16, 1903 1,028,758 Mason et al June 4, 1912 1,971,542Taylor Aug. 28, 1934 2,056,687 Moseley Oct. 6, 1936 2,090,956 WheelerAug. 24, 1937 2,254,862 Watson et al Sept. 2, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS25,138 Great Britain of 1898

